Parents and school district band together to push for a new Molalla River Middle School

Students and employees at Molalla River Middle School have a long list of grievances against their 60-year-old building: leaks in the gym, asbestos in the attic, no air conditioning in the classrooms, too little heat in the hallways.

Since the school was constructed in the early 1950s, the Molalla River School District has poured money into roof repairs and the installation of a new heating and ventilation system.

But longtime employees say problems linger and create distractions.

"The only thing that has really changed is the carpet," said Principal Mike Nelsen. "We have put a lot of money into the building, but you really can't see it."

On Nov. 2, voters will choose whether to remedy the school's problems by considering Measure 3-365, which would issue $34 million in bonds to construct a new school building on the existing Leroy Avenue site.

The new facility would open by the 2013-14 school year, according to backers of the proposal. Students would use the old building until then.

To foot the bill, measure proponents estimate that Molalla taxpayers could continue to pay the current rate of $1.10 for every $1,000 of assessed property value because of previous school construction bond debt expiring in 2011. For the owner of a $200,000 home, that would work out to $220 a year.

Although the community has rejected similar bonds related to the middle school, according to Superintendent Wayne Kostur, this year's effort may benefit from a number of factors lining up in recent years.

The prospect of not having to raise taxes further could be a major boon for measure proponents, Kostur said.

The discovery of asbestos within the school's attic during the 2009-10 school year may also have caught voters' attention. Workers sealed off the asbestos and inspectors have deemed the building safe.

Still, pushing the project could be a challenge in this economic climate.

Susan Hansen, a longtime community member opposed to the measure, said every dollar counts in a down economy -- and the prospect of lowering taxes will appeal to many in the community.

"I think it's massively disrespectful to the demographics of this area," Hansen said. "The people here are struggling to survive financially, struggling to hold onto their homes. I think it's naive to think they'll look at the ballot and think this is a good idea."

Hansen also thinks the plan was pushed through too quickly, an action that proponents of the measure deemed necessary to take advantage of low-interest bonds funded through federal stimulus money that will soon expire.

The group pushing the measure is largely led by parents of children in the district's elementary schools. Gary Boswell, the manager of the campaign, and his wife, Brie, said they will likely send their children to another middle school -- possibly one of the district's charters -- if the measure does not pass.

"We have three little guys in the school system," said Gary Boswell. "We don't want our kids going through that school building."

Campaign members lament more than the possible health and safety issues -- they point to unsightly water damage, crowded classrooms and hallways sized for elementary school students.

A rundown building can affect students and their attitudes toward school, Brie Boswell said: "Kids deserve a welcoming environment for learning."

Boswell and others are hoping that voters will be swayed by the opinions of current Molalla River Middle students, many of whom are pushing for the measure even though they will be in high school before a new building would be complete.

Haley Corbin, 12, said the school's first home volleyball game this season was accompanied by puddles of water from a leaking roof. The school's appearance can often affect school pride, according to the seventh-grader.

"I wouldn't show off my middle school," said Corbin.

Teachers, for their part, need to walk around with buckets during rainy days, according to Jess Rickman, dean of students.

Rickman, who has been in the district for more than 30 years, said he can no longer support financing repairs to Molalla River Middle: "You put money into this building and you're throwing money into a pit."